St. GEORGE, Utah - Despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, the Creighton baseball team dropped the rubber game of its three-game series with BYU, 14-5, on Saturday, March 2.

The loss dropped Creighton to 4-2 on the season, while BYU moved to 7-6 overall.

The Jays opened the game with three runs in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Jake Peter and junior Mike Gerber drew two-out walks to set the table. Senior Alex Staehely punched a double into the gap in right-center for the first RBI, followed by a two-run double to left-center by freshman Reagan Fowler.

Unfortunately BYU answered with four runs in the second to take a 4-3 edge.

Creighton tied the game in the top of the third on a single by junior Federico Castagnini, a two-base throwing error and an RBI ground-out by Peter.

BYU took control of the game in the fifth with seven runs, highlighted by a grand slam from Jaycob Brugman.

The Bluejays got one back in the sixth via an RBI double from Castagnini, but the Cougars added three more in the bottom half to push the score to 14-5.

BYU's Matt Milke earned the win (1-1) allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings of relief work.

Creighton sophomore Mark Lukowski suffered the loss (1-1), allowing two runs on two hits in an inning out of the bullpen.

BYU combined for 20 hits, including eight extra-base knocks in the contest.

Offensively the Jays were led by Castagnini, who finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Creighton returns to the diamond on Friday, March 8 in the Riverview Inn Classic, hosted by Austin Peay. The Jays open the tournament against Arkansas-Little Rock at 12 p.m., then face Austin Peay on Saturday, March 9 at 3 p.m. and wrap up the tournament with Milwaukee on Sunday, March 10 at 11 a.m.